2016 Latin American Week starts on July 1st with the Canada Day Parade, featuring a White Salsa Cruise, First Nations and Latin American Art Exhibition, Latin American Film Festival and culminates with Carnaval del Sol.

How long have you been a Vancouverite?
I’ve been living in Vancouver since 2004, so 11 years now. I left my hometown of Buenos Aires for Israel with only a suitcase when I was 19 years old. It’s been a long time since I left my country, but I am now proud (and lucky) to feel at home in three different countries.

Once upon a time, Vancouver was known as a “no fun” city. This summer, Viva Vancouver is doing its best to put that reputation to rest.

Now in its second year, the city-sponsored program transforms streets into lively outdoor parties, with music, art, dancing and food. Every weekend through Labour Day, a different free festival will liven up Vancouver, while events throughout the week ensure there’s rarely a dull moment.

Programming this year includes a series of big celebrations along Granville Street, including Latincouver, a Bike Rodeo, Axe Capoeira, TaiwanFest and more. There will be a brand new farmers market in Yaletown on Thursdays, starting in mid-August. City beautification programs will see permanent “rainbow crosswalks” installed along Davie Street. And the unique Pilot Parklet Program will transform random parking lots across Vancouver into outdoor party zones.

According to the most recent census figures, people of Latin, Central and South American origins account for just 1.36 percent of Vancouver’s population. But those 28,575 Vancouverites sure know how to throw one huge party.

For the fourth year in a row, Carnaval del Sol is coming to downtown’s Granville Street, this Saturday, June 30. From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., five blocks of Granville from Hastings to Smithe Streets will be closed to traffic and filled with Latin music, food, dancing, performances and even a street soccer tournament. Some 50,000 people are expected to turn out for one of the biggest parties of the summer.

Inside Vancouver is a multi-author blog, written by Vancouverites about Vancouver. Our goal is to give an insider’s view of Vancouver, to provide information, stories and opinions from the locals’ perspective about this great city.